OUTdrive

Twice a year, our agency principals team up with other small agency owners around the country to catch up and help each other be better. We've been involved in a peer group for nearly 20 years and it's one of the reasons we've been able to stay relevant and current with all the changes going on in our industry. When we get together, whether it's in person or virtual, we discuss the hottest marketing trends, share best practices and new technologies, pitch big ideas and talk through the challenges we're facing in our firms.

Today, I'm driving solo to share some of those hottest marketing trends and tips with you. Sit tight and listen in for insight on what's working and what you should be working on, things to think about for your own marketing program and questions you should ask yourself to help you fine tune what you're doing. It's brief but packed full of marketing insight for rural America.

I always love talking shop with other agency owners. In this intriguing episode, I interview John Smiddy, founder, president and chief strategist at LeadPlan Marketing in Michigan. He's also the author of the book Stop Guessing Start Marketing and the host of The Marketing Fundamentals Podcast. John got his start in the music business, touring around the country with a variety of bands, promoting products at those shows and realizing that as much as he enjoyed playing music, he really loved the marketing side of it. Listen in as John shares the logic behind his P5 marketing strategy, how to build a strong brand identity and how to scale a business through effective marketing. We also get into the digital marketing landscape and where we see it going into the future.

We believe we've got it pretty good out here in rural America, where we enjoy a high quality of life, with plenty of great opportunities and a safe environment in which to live, work and play. It may be the world's best kept secret. Our guest today is a person who is telling that story through his work in economic development consulting. Rob Harrington is the principal of Rural Growth Strategies, and he founded his company to help small communities overcome the challenges of getting their message out to someone who may be interested in what they have to offer. Listen in to get a better understanding about the people of rural America, hear about some of the opportunities we have here, gain insight into why a business should consider relocating to a small community and learn how technology and innovation are creating a springboard to future growth.

It's always amazing how one experience in life prepares you for the ones that follow. That's the way it's supposed to be, right? Our podcast guest, Jim Marino, got his start during college working for a construction, development and marketing conglomerate in Missouri. From there, he took his sales, project management and business expertise to a metal building manufacturer in Georgia and a garage door maker in Alabama, before coming full circle in his current role as a Business Development Executive for a steel building company in Texas. Listen in as Jim and I discuss how business development, sales and marketing integrate to form a powerful tool to grow a business, the biz dev strategies he employs to recruit and retain clients and his appreciation for growing up in a small town in rural America.

Most people today recognize that digital media has revolutionized modern marketing plans. Yet, nothing replaces the look and feel of a high-end magazine. Every day, millions of people throughout rural America and the world consume content found in magazines, and then they pass them along. Today's guest has built a highly successful career creating, publishing, marketing and in some cases, selling upscale lifestyle magazines targeted to female readers. Listen in to hear about Dave Leathers' career path, how he has grown and marketed many different publications and his thoughts on rural America.

Very few family businesses survive past a third generation and a fourth is a rarity. Zephyr Manufacturing is one of those elite companies that has not only survived but thrived for nearly 100 years. Our guest today is R.J. Lindstrom, who is the current president, owner and great-grandson of the founder. Built on values that focus on made in America, quality products and great customer service, Zephyr is around today because of the business and marketing decisions made by R.J. and his predecessors. One thing's for sure – each generation had to be open to change and evolve to meet its current and future needs.

Organizations, businesses and people change. Consequently, brands need to change to reflect a renewed mission, vision or purpose. Recently, Callis helped Center for Human Services rebrand with a new visual identity, new messaging and imagery, a new website and a comprehensive marketing communications program. Center for Human Services is a world class organization in the heart of Missouri that serves thousands of individuals across the state with developmental and behavioral challenges. Marissa Ivie is CHS's Director of Outreach and Communications, and she recognized the need for a new brand and advocated to make it happen. The result is a refreshed look and feel that has reinvigorated the organization and positioned it to capitalize on the substantial growth CHS is experiencing.

Listen in for Marissa's take on when to rebrand, the process and the results.

Some people just know from a young age what they want to do when they grow up. For Taylor Howard, it was marketing. Early on, she was interested in why advertisers said and showed what they did and that curiosity has carried over into her career in the B2B technology, automation and electric supply industry. Today, she strategizes on why people buy what they buy and she develops successful marketing strategies to reach them. Stay tuned for Taylor's thoughts on how marketing is the first touch in B2B marketing, her career at SMC and her advice to follow your passion.

There are literally thousands of opportunities in today's world to find a career that fits well with your interests and strengths. Our guest today was fortunate to find one right out of college that fit so well, he stayed for a 30 year career.

Steve Moore is a chemical engineer by trade. Having grown up in a suburban/rural setting, he attended Mizzou and was recruited by Procter & Gamble, where he relocated to Cincinnati. After a very successful career leading global research and development on several major brands, he shifted his focus and applied his expertise and strengths to other business ventures. Today, he is directing his energies toward cancer research and living a full and active life.

Listen in to hear his insight on navigating a path with a Fortune 500 company and all the opportunities that can come your way. You can also learn about his appreciation for life in rural America.

The Missouri State Fairgrounds is known primarily for the State Fair which is held every year around the middle of August. What you may not know though is there are events there year-round. From rodeos, quinceañeras and weddings, to picnics, concerts, camping, and livestock shows, the Missouri State Fairgrounds has events that spark interest in individuals from all over rural America. Across the 396 acres of the fairgrounds' property, 20 different venues are available to rent for an event. The person to call to arrange these events is our guest today.

Steven Sims, the Missouri State Fair Off Season Events and Concessions Manager, is joining us to discuss the year-round use of fairgrounds, the process of booking concessions, and his passion for putting on events for rural Americans.

What you'll learn:

• Steven Sim's background, hometown, education, and family

• Steven Sims discusses what he enjoyed most about going to Missouri Valley College

• Steven Sim's role at the Missouri State Fairgrounds and what he appreciates most about his position

• The architecture of the historical buildings and how many buildings on the property are used for events at the Missouri State Fairgrounds

• Steven's insight on working with several vendors for a variety of events and his favorite history and traditions at the Missouri State Fair

• Marketing strategies Steven is utilizing to inform people about the events that are happening at the fairgrounds.

• Steven discusses what sets the fairgrounds apart from other venues in the area.